Kate Middleton and Prince William Look Unbothered Attending Church With ‘Friend’ and ‘Rural Rival’ Rose Hanbury
Talk about an awkward reunion. Last year, Kate Middleton and Prince William were hit with rumors that he had an affair with her good friend, Rose Hanbury. On Christmas Day, Hanbury and her family joined the royals for their annual church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. But instead of what many presumed would be an uncomfortable reunion, William and Kate looked completely unbothered by the appearance of his alleged mistress.
Prince William and Kate Middleton reunite with Rose Hanbury
The royals gather every year to spend Christmas with Queen Elizabeth at her estate in Sandringham. Part of the family’s tradition is to attend a church service on Christmas Day, followed by Queen Elizabeth’s annual Christmas speech.
It is not uncommon for other families of nobility to attend the church service, including Rose, who has the title of the Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
Like in year’s past, Rose showed up at the church service alongside members of the royal family. As a side note, she also attended Donald Trump’s reception at Buckingham Palace last June (so it’s not that big a deal that she and Kate Middleton were at the same event).
Unfortunately, Kate and Rose did not pose together for photos so it is unclear if they talked inside the church. Given how a few hundred people attended the service, there is no telling if there was any time for mingling.
Prince William accompanied his wife outside of the service and seemed very at ease throughout the event. Kate rocked a colorful coat and a fedora for the outing while William looked sharp in a dark blue suit.
When is the last time Kate Middleton and Rose Hanbury were photographed together?
The Christmas Day service was only the second time Kate and Rose attended the same royal event in 2019. In previous years, however, the two were very close.
According to Daily Mail, William and Kate attended a dinner party at Rose’s house in 2014. Rose and her husband, David Hanbury, live three miles from the Cambridge’s country estate and were a part of the Cambridges’ inner circle of friends.
Rose and David were also invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s lavish wedding in 2011. Their respective children have reportedly spent time playing with each other as well.
It is unclear if Kate and Rose are still as close as they used to be, but recent rumors have likely made them rethink their friendship.
But even if the rumors are true, you would not know it by looking at William and Kate on Christmas Day. Neither of them seemed phased by Rose’s appearance and they both appeared very upbeat for the holiday events.
Inside those cheating rumors
The cheating allegations started with rumors of a falling out between Rose Hanbury and Kate Middleton. In March of 2019, sources claimed that the Duchess of Cambridge was ending her friendship with Rose for an unspecified reason.
It did not take long before royal watchers started to speculate that William may have cheated on Kate with Rose, which is why their friendship suffered.
It should be noted that there has been no evidence to suggest that Prince William was unfaithful in his marriage. In fact, royal expert Richard Klay later revealed that both families were considering suing the tabloids for spreading such salacious rumors.
“Both sides have considered legal action, but because none of the reports have been able to offer any evidence about what the so-called dispute is about, they have chosen to ignore it…..These hurtful rumors of a fallout are simply false,” Klay shared.
Considering how Prince William and Kate Middleton looked completely at ease at the church service, it is safe to say that they have moved past the drama. Now if only royal watchers could feel the same then everyone would be set.
What’s next for Prince William and Kate Middleton?
As far as we know, William and Kate are still in Norfolk after the royal family’s Christmas festivities at Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham estate.
Sources say that the two have been entertaining guests at Anmer Hall in preparation for Kate’s upcoming 38th birthday bash. Kate will be celebrating her birthday on January 9. All three of the couple’s children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – are also with them.
We do not know when Prince William and Kate Middleton will resume their royal duties, though neither of them has addressed the rumors surrounding their relationship with Hanbury.
Hanbury, meanwhile, attended the church service with her husband, David.
